Smart Bandage for Faster Healing of Diabetic Wounds

Telemetric Regenerative Bandage for Accelerating Wound Healing

NIH-funded research Northwestern University · NIH-11137069

This project is creating a special bandage that helps diabetic foot ulcers heal quicker and can even check for infection.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11137069 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Diabetic foot ulcers are serious sores that can lead to infection and even amputation if they don't heal well. This project aims to create a new type of bandage that helps these wounds close faster and more durably. The bandage works by reducing harmful substances in the wound, providing a supportive structure for new cells to grow, and improving blood flow. It also includes a wireless system to monitor the wound's temperature and pH, which are important signs of infection, even after you leave the hospital.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is focused on patients who experience chronic diabetic foot ulcers that are slow to heal.

Not a fit: Patients without diabetic foot ulcers or other chronic wounds would not directly benefit from this specific bandage technology.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new bandage could significantly speed up the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, reduce infections, and potentially prevent limb amputations.

How similar studies have performed: While wound care is an established field, this approach combines regenerative materials with real-time wireless monitoring, making it a novel and integrated solution.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Bacterial Infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.